Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) After almost a month-and-half, the NSE Nifty50 closed at a new record high on Monday as positive global cues, along with healthy buying in automobile, capital goods and consumer durables stocks, lifted investors’ sentiments.

According to market observers, the rally of the indices, along with persistent pumping in of funds by domestic investors (DIIs), was aided by fresh influx of funds by foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) touched a record high of 10,171.70 points during intra-day trade. It earlier touched an intra-day high of 10,137.85 points on August 2.

In addition, the index closed at a fresh high of 10,153.10 points — up 67.70 points or 0.67 per cent. Previously, it had closed at a high of 10,114.65 points on August 1.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, too, traded within a range of around 200 points.

On a closing basis, the Sensex rose by 151.15 points, or 0.47 per cent, to 32,423.76 points.

The BSE market breadth was bullish with 1,540 advances and 1,080 declines.

“Nifty rallied further on Monday on the back of positive global cues to close at new highs. Broad market indices like the BSE mid-cap and small-cap indices rose more, thereby outperforming the main indices,” Deepak Jasani, Head – Retail Research, HDFC Securities, told IANS.

“Major Asian markets have ended on a positive note. European indices like FTSE 100, DAX and CAC 40 traded higher,” he added.

In terms of broader market indices, the S&P BSE mid-cap index rose by 0.73 per cent and the small-cap index by 0.87 per cent.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services, said: “Market advanced and touched another historic high on firm global cues. Strength in rupee and a gradual pick up in FII buying has increased the liquidity in the market.”

“On the other hand, focus has now shifted to tomorrow’s (Tuesday’s) Fed policy meet. The consensus is showing status quo in interest rate while investors are keenly looking for any announcement for trimming the balance sheet,” Nair added.

The US Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee will meet on September 20-21.

During the day, the Indian rupee weakened slightly by six paise to 64.13-14 against the US dollar from its previous close at 64.07-08.

“FIIs selling in the cash market was lower at Rs 78 crore and DIIs continued to be net buyers,” said Anita Gandhi, Whole Time Director of Arihant Capital Markets.

According to Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, the NSE index hit an all-time high, joining a rally in Asian shares, with banks, diversified conglomerates and automobile firms leading the gains.

“Retail investors are pumping in close to Rs 5,000 crore in mutual funds through systematic investment plans or SIPs,” Desai told IANS.

All the sub-indices of the BSE witnessed healthy buying barring the oil and gas index, which fell by 10.23 points (0.07 per cent).

Major Sensex gainers on Monday were: Bajaj Auto, up 3.57 per cent at Rs 3,129.80; Hindustan Unilever, up 2.73 per cent at Rs 1,279.50; Larsen and Toubro, up 2.09 per cent at Rs 1,237.80; Coal India, up 1.89 per cent at Rs 264.80; and Tata Motors (DVR), up 1.83 per cent at Rs 233.15.

Major Sensex losers were: ITC, down 0.95 per cent at Rs 266.80; Tata Steel, down 0.92 per cent at Rs 673.05; ONGC, down 0.90 per cent at Rs 165.40; State Bank of India, down 0.70 per cent at Rs 270.15; and Sun Pharma, down 0.53 per cent at Rs 521.